As we approach the fall, many districts are working diligently to find solutions to continue STEAM at home. While we know that students learn from hands-on activities and educators certainly can make suggestions about how parents can help at home, there are also ways teachers can present the concepts of STEAM as they instruct remotely.
The areas of S(cience), T(echnology), E(ngineering), A(rt) and M(ath) have been focal points for education for some time. In a traditional classroom, teachers integrate these areas throughout lessons and by incorporating other technologies (3D printers, programmable robots, cardboard challenges, building materials, etc.) in order to expose students to this way of learning. The areas of the brain that are activated using these methods, however, can certainly be just as active outside of the classroom. First, teachers will need to suspend the notion that the ACTIVITY will be similar and focus on the goals and outcomes. Take the example of a cardboard challenge. Students are designing a structure in order to solve a problem. A teacher could certainly recreate this type of thinking and provide these opportunities. The guiding principle behind STEAM is inquiry. Using various inquiry types throughout lessons with authentic media learning opportunities will allow students to become problem-solvers and engage in higher levels of thinking and inquiry. Additionally, many companies are using virtual labs which address standards, grade levels and have a plethora of resources available. For example, MyStemKits provides users with standards-aligned lessons, assessments and guides that allow the students to explore and the teacher to facilitate. Districts can further explore these options at boxlight.com/robo. This school year will be unlike any other; STEAM thinking and activities do not have to be another stressor for your teachers. If you are looking for additional solutions, please feel free to reach out and DAT is happy to help. Over the past few months, we have all become very familiar with the phrase “Together, Apart.” For teachers, this adjustment has created a major shift in our teaching strategies and methods. Many teachers are learning technology integration at a faster pace than they ever had to anticipate; and (for the most part) they are doing this work alone.
As a former instructional technology coach, I can tell you there is no one teacher that knows every piece of software, every APP or every STEM project that could work for every teachers’ classroom. Technology changes every day and it can be daunting to assume that you will be able to keep up with all of it on your own. In the past, you would walk down the hall and find the technology specialist, teacher, or administrator that you know can help you. Today, that is not an option. Teachers, being the innovators and collaborators they are, flock to social media to create Think-Tanks and share resources with one another. Below are some of the groups and resources that I find most helpful. |
AuthorJessica Tuwaiq is a former ELA middle school teacher as well as a former instructional technology coach. In her current role, she works with Michigan districts to implement technology. Categories
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